Jewish History Uncensored

In this week’s episode, we look at one of the other major Rabbis of Amsterdam in this era, Rabbi Yitzchak Abuav de Fonseca. Rabbi Abuav had a unique background, he was born in Portugal to a prominent Rabbinical family. In the 1630’s the Jewish Community of Amsterdam was engulfed in a major controversy about how to understand who has a portion in the world to come. What was the issue? What do we learn about those times from this controversy? There also is a follow up to last week’s episode. We look at some of the other issues and challenges that exist in society today and how they affect Avodas Hashem.  Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. We are currently learning YIRMIYAHU. Click here to join!  For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:

In this episode we address the recent comments of R' Moshe Weinberger about the Yeshiva curriculum and its effectiveness. Why did the Yeshivas choose this curriculum? What makes it effective? Is there a connection between Shas and Machahava and Chassidus? How does learning Shas affect a person’s core relationship with Avodas Hashem? Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. We are currently learning YIRMIYAHU. Click here to join!  For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:  

In this episode we look at one of the first Rabbis of Amsterdam, Rabbi Shaul Mortera. Where did they go to find a Rabbi that would fit with their community? Is there any significance to his family background? We also look at the one of prime tools the community used to keep internal order, cherem. What is a cherem? Is it still used today? Is it accurate from a Torah perspective to use this terminology? Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. We are currently learning YIRMIYAHU. Click here to join!  For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:  

In this episode we take a deeper look at the most important Historical accomplishment of the Mashgiach of Mir, R' Aharon Chadash. What critical role did R' Aharon Chadash play in the development of the Mir into the largest Yeshiva in the world? Are there any parallels between with this and the development of Lakewood into the largest Yeshiva in the USA?   Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. We are currently learning YIRMIYAHU. Click here to join!  For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:  

In this episode we look at more of the details of the founding of the first synagogue in Amsterdam. We are able to learn from this story and from other basic features of the Jewish Community the specific mindset that they had. One of the customs of the Jewish Community in Amsterdam was to have three names. Why did they have this custom and what is it’s significance? Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. We are currently learning YIRMIYAHU. Click here to join!  For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:  

In this episode we look at the founding of the Jewish Community of Amsterdam. How was it that Amsterdam specifically came to have such a major community ? We take a careful look at the two legends about the founding of the community. Which parts of these legends are clearly documented? Which part of these legends are probably legendary but not factual? Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. We are currently learning YIRMIYAHU. Click here to join!  For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:

In this episode we look at the hidden century of the Crypto Jews. The vast majority of the Crypto Jews were from the Jews who went to Portugal and were forced to convert in 1497. The Portuguese Jewish communities weren’t founded until the late 1500’s. What happened to these unfortunate Jews in this hidden century? What records do we have of them in this time? What level of commitment were they able to keep in this time?  Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. We are currently learning YIRMIYAHU. Click here to join!  For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:

As is well documented, Spinoza was of Marrano, crypto Jewish background. In this episode we look at the Historical Background of the Marranos.  How did this occur? We also discuss the tragic dilemma of the what to do with one’s children when in a shmad situation. What events in general Spanish History contributed to the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492? How is it that the crypto Jew issue primarily was expressed in the 1600s?    We also discuss the question of was Christopher Columbus Jewish? Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. We are currently learning YIRMIYAHU. Click here to join!  For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:

In this episode we look at the famed question: why study History? We also look at why most people find the study of History so challenging. We also examine the basic differences between History and Jewish History, and how this changes the reason to study History.  We also look at one of the classic examples of how Torah connects with Jewish History. Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. We are currently learning KOHELES. Click here to join!  For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com (CedarMediaStudios Podcasting 2021)

In this episode we look at the important issue of how to evaluate evidence. When should one accept a historical claim as true? We examine the topic by looking at the celebration of the Besht’s birthday on 18th of Elul. When did people start celebrating birthdays? Is there a difference between birthdays and Yahrzeits? We also look at the issue of machlokes, the disagreements in Shas etc. How do we understand this phenomenon? Does it have any effect on Torah?  Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. We are currently learning KOHELES. Click here to join!  For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com (CedarMediaStudios Podcasting 2021)